Phillip and myself, who will be the judges of the conflict. Will they
fight on foot or on horse?"

"On foot, on foot," said the King of France. "It would be a pity that
knightly exercises should be brought to scorn by any failure on their
part on horseback. On foot at least it will be a fair struggle."

"What arms shall they use?" the Brabant knight asked.

"Oh, swords and battle-axes, of course," said King Richard with a laugh.

"Before you go," King Phillip said, "you must shake hands, and swear
to let the quarrel between you drop, at least until after our return.
If you still wish to shed each other's blood, I shall offer no
hindrance thereto."

The earl and Count Jacquelin touched each other's hands in obedience to
the order, went out of the tent together, and strode off without a word
in different directions.

"My dear lad," the Earl of Evesham said on entering his tent where his
page was waiting him, "this is a serious business. The kings have
ordered this little count and myself to put aside our differences till
after the Crusade, in accordance with our oath. But as you have no wise
pledged yourself in the same fashion, and as their Majesties fell
somewhat dull while waiting here, it is determined that the quarrel
between me, and between you and the count's page, shall be settled by a
fight between you in the presence of the kings."

"Well, sir," Cuthbert said, "I am glad that it should be, seeing the